It’s home renovation time at my household. Actually, we were supposed to put new flooring in during the summer, but fixing up our place usually comes after learning a new language on my to do list. There’s more of a sense of urgency for me to get started on this task this year, not only because I’ve put it off since my wife and I moved into our place over a year ago, but also because of the much-touted Home Renovation Tax Credit. If I can get my floor done by February 2010, I can save myself some money. And these days, saving is the new spending.
Like many armchair handymen, I like the idea of building and installing things but lack the “know how” to do it properly. And when I read stories like this one that involve people dying during a renovation, this impulsive man gives his renovation plans a sober second thought. So before embarking on my trip to the hardware store, I had a quick conversation with my buddy Peaches (No, his real name isn’t Peaches. It’s Bryan. But I like to call him that, and he doesn’t seem to mind—at least he says he doesn’t. And who can’t love a trained carpenter named Peaches?)
Here’s an excerpt from our conversation:
Me: “Peaches! My man! What’s the good word?”
Peaches: “Not much. Doing my thang.”
Me: “Are you keepin’ safe and havin’ fun?”
Peaches: “Always.”
Me: “I was reading about a renovation tragedy in Newfoundland, and I wanted to ask you about safety on the job.”
Peaches: “I thought you were going to talk to me about repaying the money you owe me, but I guess I can answer your questions. Will this help me in getting my money back sooner?”
Me: “Maybe.”
Peaches: “Whatever.”
Me: “What’s the scariest thing that's happening to you on the job?”
Peaches: “It’s called kick back, and it happens often when using table saws. It’s when the wood or whatever you’re cutting binds onto the blade. When you’re cutting wood, it releases moisture, so the wood tends to curb. Once the wood passes the cut, it binds to the blade and tightens up on it. If it binds behind the blade, it throws the piece of wood back at you.”
Me: “Has this ever happened to you?”
Peaches: “It's happened three or four times. Because I had my hands in the right position, I was okay. If they weren’t in the right position, my left hand would have gone into the blade when the wood kicked back because there would be no wood to separate my hand from the blade.
People reach around or over the blade all the time to look at the wood they just cut. I know a guy who lost his thumb in a kick back accident. You’re supposed to wait until the blade stops spinning before you reach for the wood, but hardly anyone does this because the blade takes a while to stop.”
My curiosity about the frequency of such mishaps brought me to the list of workplace injuries on the WorkSafe BC site on safety. This site proves that even professionals get hurt, and often. I know I’m going to be consulting the professionals at my hardware store and sites like this before I start my measly home reno. What I want to know is: What’s your safety plan for your home renovation?
7 Comments
Raul says:
Frankly, I am clumsy when it comes to renovation, so I just stay away! But I'd definitely stage a plan if I were to renovate! :)
Joel says:
plans are good!
Armstrong says:
We learned all the safety rules for table saws in Shops class in highschool, but its easy stuff to forget if you're in a hurry.
Liv says:
i think planning is key - a lot of people suddenly decide on the weekend on a whim they want a DIY job without thinking about the proper safety tools and equipment needed. Adding to that is our need to rush around all the time, trying to finish things up, makes it even more unsafe.
james says:
it kills me to think that one day I'd wake up with a thumb, head to work, and when I go to bed that night I'd have permanently lost it. creepy.
Vanessa says:
I am way too terrified to have ever used major tools like this, but I know I may someday end up doing so. It's good to know there are websites devoted to safety tips for something like renovations, which so many non-professionals do. I am forwarding this article to friends who are always freaking me out with their hap-hazard sawing projects!
Pearse Walsh says:
Excellent reminder about using safe work practices all the time. Another very important aspect of home renovation work is to ensure that proper permits are taken out for construction work (building permit)and for electrical and gas work (seperate permits required for each technology) and that the work is done by licensed contractors. This is not only important to ensure the work is done safely; it's also is a legal requirement and having it done properly will ensure peace of mind and not having concerns about disclosures when selling the home; also it will mean less likelyhood about concerns with home insurance claims. For more information about building permit requirements visit your local municipal website; for informaiton about electrical and gas permits vist the BC Safety Authority website - http://www.safetyauthority.ca/ and click on home improvements or the homeowners section of the website.